A Love Story.
Item: Pants Color/Fabric: Olive, leather Designer: The Gap Years Owned: 10
Sometimes there are secrets to be told. Sometimes people do ridiculous things, and then repeat them. For years. Sometimes you can’t wear leather pants on your own. Sometimes love just isn’t enough.
This is a story about how I am a huge nerd. It’s not a fact that I discuss, willingly, often. It does tend to come up if the conversation turns to birds. Or Bono. Especially Bono.
I have been clinically obsessed with the band U2 since I was 12 years old. It all began in the seventh grade as a ploy to try to befriend the coolest girl in school, Natalie. She was crazy about the Achtung Baby album. So I ordered it from my father’s Columbia House CD Club (remember those?).
To this day I still believe that is the best album of all time. I have worn out three cds of it. It’s not really normal.
I remember trying to win tickets on the radio to see their concert in 1992, and crying because I didn’t. And so the first time I saw a U2 concert was in 1997, and we had the very worst seats anyone could imagine. But I couldn’t have cared less. I was finally under the same roof as Bono!
When I went to college, conquered the internet, and started to make a small, spendable, salary, my obsession escalated. Soon I belonged to multiple U2 Fan Clubs. I began buying collector’s items, such as their first single, released the year I was born, on Ebay. I could even download rare and unreleased songs on the internet!
I spent a great deal of time planning how I would be close enough to touch Bono at their next concert. He would pull me on stage and dance with me. I would need to buy leather pants!
I found these pants at the Gap, and thought they might make me a rock star. Or, at least, irresistible to a rock star. I felt like a bad ass, and they fit me perfectly. Plus, I got them for over $100 off! Now here’s the extra-nerdy part; I bought Nate a matching pair in brown.
And by the time U2’s next concerts came around, in 2001, I had dragged my sister into my world of obsession. We were going to see them in Cleveland, and also Detroit. Both times, I wore the leather pants. The first time, I also wore these shoes:
Yes, indeed. Rock star, for sure! I mean, they have a hole in them! And there’s zebra involved!
Sometimes you have to fall down to learn.
At both concerts, we waited in line, for hours, in coldness, and rain, and unforgiving concrete. Here is what I looked like:
I just have no words. Except that I must really love you all a lot to share that. And that I had a much cooler lime green shirt with zippers under that one a radio station gave me for warmth.
I know I have some even better pictures, of me and Kelly and the cornrows we put on her head while waiting. Of the Detroit show, where Nate and I wore matching leather pants, and I made Nate wear another rock star cliche, the cowboy hat. I can’t find those pictures, though, so you get me and my Gatorade.
In the end, the waiting was entirely worth it. We made it into the first row at both concerts, and once the music began, I forgot all about my fatigue and danced like the world was ending. We were so close that I could look into Bono’s mouth and read the designer label on his shoes (Prada). So close that U2’s guitarist, The Edge, shook our hands. It was almost perfection!
Except that Bono did not ask me to dance. There was a moment, when I was really getting down with my bad self, that this guy next to me tried to get the security guard to lift me on stage. Do you know what he said? That I was too tall! Stupid rock star zebra shoes.
Yes, Bono is very short, and slightly insecure about it. He doesn’t ask tall girls to dance. And so, over the next almost-decade, I’ve seen them five more times, and always worn flat shoes.
But still Bono has not asked me to dance with him. And after almost 20 years of devotion, it’s still my heart’s desire. Someday, it will happen! It simply must.
The best thing about those concerts in 2001 was the bond my sister and I found then. We became closer than we’d ever been, and had such adventures! I wish we could go back and do it all over again! Some of the magic has died, though. We’re adults now. It’s hard to get up at 5am and camp out on cold concrete now. Our bones protest.
At least I still have the leather pants. Not that I can wear them, though. They were in a flood, and the leather has tightened and there is some mold. I used to think the distressed leather made them more rock-ish. But the fact is they still no longer fit me. It’s time, isn’t it?
**These are going. They will never fit again. Anyone want to give them the TLC they need and deserve? They are still pretty badass.
What A Way To Spend A Day.
Item: Tunic Color/Fabric: Undetermined, grey, black, white Designer: Custom made Years Owned: 2
There is no beating around the bush. Tonight I am sad. I have been trying, oh, so hard, to came back refreshed, with a New Lease On Life, brimming with positivity. I will be rested! I will defeat anxiety! I will roll with the punches! I will survive! What, me worry?
I throw all my eggs into one basket too often, pinning all my hopes on a single event I build up to life changing proportions in my head.
Then, too quickly, it’s over. And then I realize that everything is exactly the same as it was before I left.
I get these lofty dreams every time I take a journey that I will come back a New Woman, wiser. With some new dramatic revelation about the direction my life should take.
Then I find out I’m still just…me.
I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, by any means. I just would like to evolve into the new, improved super me someday.
The bottom line is simply that I’m sad it’s over.
All these thoughts lead me to remember the first time I arrived home from Europe. I did have similar shattered illusions and post-travel depression. And the only treatment I could think of was a show. What else?
Nate had brought me this tunic back from India, along with four gorgeous, but not all that practical, saris. He went to a dressmaker with all of my measurements and everything was hand sewn just for me. Practically couture! The tunic came with a pair of loose trousers (picture Hammer Pants) and a full luxurious scarf. I can’t wear all the pieces together, that goes against my matchy-matchy clause, but I like them all separately a great deal. The pants make the comfiest pjs!
The show we were going to see was Once Upon A Mattress, directed by my dear friend Kevin, who is nothing short of brilliant. It was a show I really wanted to be in, but it was just impossible, since we were in Europe during tech week.
I was excited to wear my new Indian tunic. I’m sure there is a specific name for this type of tunic, but I’m ashamed to say I don’t know it. I wore it with skinny jeans and black heels. I felt very dramatic. I can’t remember exactly, but I think I wore the scarf as well. I think it was the only time I wore them together. The tunic is sort of an awkward length; it falls below my knees, which is the style, I know, but not something I’m used to. I do love the tone on tone bead work that catches the light perfectly. Anyway.
It was the first time I was able to sit back and take in a show directed by Kevin, since I had been in the previous two. And it was spectacular! I loved the set, the choreography, the very look and feel of the show. Kevin has this ability that just astounds me, to see beautiful, vivid pictures in his head and then bring them to life with absolute clarity. A rare gift, that. I can never see anything that clearly in my head. I spend most of my creative energy seeking out just a little ray of clarity, a peephole. But Kevin sees the entire picture.
There were also some wonderful performances by many of my friends, and many who would become friends. My friend Lisa, for one, who, never fails to bring something new and enthralling and hysterical to her performance, no matter how many she does in a single year. She’s always different. But always Lisa as well. It’s magnificent.
I was, though, charmed and enthralled and utterly astonished by Princess Winnifred. She was played by Vicki, who I had met during Evita the previous summer, but didn’t know all that well yet. I certainly had no concept of how hugely talented she is! Her voice is simply sublime, and her wonderful humor and quick wit lit up the stage. I was awestruck!
It feels like from then on we gradually became closer, and now I can’t imagine her not being in my life.
Sigh.
I am truly, truly blessed. I have the best family anyone could wish for, amazing friends, a great job, and a wonderful hobby that brings me so much joy on every level.
Yes. I am so glad to be home! My heart is full.
But about the tunic. I don’t think getting rid of it is really an option, being custom made and all. It seems like the sort of thing that would make a good heirloom for people who actually have children. However, I’m not holding anything in my closet back! I want your opinions about all of it. Just don’t feel cheated if you vote to get rid of it and I ignore you.
**My husband had this made for me. How could I get rid of it??
Reunited, And It Feels SO Good!
Item: Dress/Blouse/Tunic Color/Fabric: Cream/Nylon Designer: Free People Where Purchased: TJ Maxx Years Owned: 3
Oh, it’s nice to be home! I’ve missed Trixie, and this. I am tired, though. I am so looking forward to my fluffy, squishy, very un-European bed, so I’m afraid this first post back might be a little truncated. But, yes. This feels nice!
Today I offer to you something I have a hard time deciding what to do with. This piece is something we had at Next Boutique years ago, except in black, and I loved it. So I was thrilled when I found it at TJ Maxx on clearance, for much less than I could get it at Next.
And then when I got it home and actually put it on my body, I realized it’s sort of odd. It’s so transparent, and it’s hard to find the right thing to wear under it. Is it a dress? Is it a tunic-y blouse? It’s just a little too short for the former, and a little too long for the latter. This is a situation I find myself in frequently, being neither tall nor short myself. There are worse things, I suppose.
The first time I remember wearing it was to New York City. It was winter, so I decided that I should wear this over black skinny jeans, a black turtleneck, and cream flat boots. It was sort of Sixties mod-ish. To this day, I’m not sure it really worked. But if there’s ever a place where you can get away with trying something different, it’s the City. No one will even look twice at you.
We were going to see Spring Awakening with Kevin and Michael, and our fabulous friends Bob and Grant. It wasn’t that long after the show opened, long enough for it to have gained some pretty fierce hype, but before it started winning awards.
I can’t remember being more excited to see a show. I didn’t really know much about it, except the dark subject matter combined with good time rock music by Duncan Sheik, whose music I enjoy. I wanted to be surprised, so I didn’t even listen to the score before hand.
It was a cold, crisp winter day, and we filled up with amazing Italian food before the show. I can’t remember where we went, but I do remember the deliciousness! We always have a great time with Kevin and Michael, and Bob and Grant are friends that we don’t see frequently enough, but when we do, it’s always a riotous fun time, and I love them so.
After the splendid dinner, we headed to the theater. There was an energy I’ve never really felt before in an audience before the show even began. It was exciting, a sort of thrill electrifying the air. The excitement was palpable, and I know I wasn’t the only one who felt it. It was contagious.
Especially when the celebrities started coming.
First was Liev Schriber and Naomi Watts. They were both ridiculously attractive, and endlessly glamorous- I was enamored of Naomi’s leather jacket. They smiled graciously at all us gawkers, and we had nice seats to watch the action- in the back part of the orchestra.
Then, not long before the curtain came up, Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman came in. They were tiny, and seemed jolly and friendly. They were sitting on the side of the orchestra toward the back. But quite swiftly they were upgraded to the front, which is nice. Since they’re short.
Randomly, there was a pair of men dressed in full-on S&M wear. It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen at a Broadway show. And gave me a little more confidence in my own outfit.
As for the show, I was enraptured from the very first note. It was truly a cohesive and beautiful work of art. It’s the first time I’ve been brought to tears simply by the lighting in a show. It was transcendent. The stage simply crackled with energy and youthful passion.
And I was so surprised by the music. I didn’t expect it to be so modern and current, given that the story takes place in the 1800s. But I loved the contrast.
Finally, it was one of those moments where I didn’t want to speak after the show ended. I wanted to sit and absorb it all. I just felt overcome.
I loved it.
This lacey thing, though. I don’t know. I keep trying to get it right, and I’m not sure I ever do. I lost even a little more faith in it when I saw a picture in a tabloid of Britney Spears wearing it. She wore it as a dress, of course, with fishnet tights and heels. It was when she was a little more nuts, and the hair and make-up was a mess. I could not help but wonder if that’s how I look wearing it, with a little less skank.
My favorite way to wear it is over skinny jeans with a long short sleeve velvet blazer over it, so there’s just a little bit of lace poking out at the neck and at the bottom. But I feel like there’s more I could do with it, if I was more creative. Thoughts?
**This one stays. I wore it to a pretty alright audition, so that in itself is a reason to keep it! I will find a more creative way to wear it, someday,
Goodbye To Spain.
Here I am, about to board an airplane headed to Frankfurt, en route back to New York. And I am feeling sad. Despite my initial feelings, it really did go too fast. I’m happy to be headed home, though. I can’t wait to cuddle all my furry babies, and sleep in my freezing dungeon of a bedroom. (They think it is winter here, even though it was about 70 degrees the entire time. All hotels had heat on! And I am a bit of a Princess and the Pea sleeper- all conditions must be perfect.)
But I love Spain. It has captured my heart, wholly. I’ve developed a very good reading comprehension of Spanish, especially in regards to food. And, oh, did we eat! Before I left, I pretty much just knew “Tengo tres gatos” and “No comprende”.
I’m also very excited to get back to this project. It’s made me start to view the world as a writer again, and I am ever so grateful for that! And I’m also grateful to everyone who continues to read my posts and vote on my clothes.
I can’t wait to write about all of our adventures here! They were many, some splendid, some a little terrifying.
Time to board! I’ll be seeing some of you very soon. Until then!
Look Up: Read Subtitles!
Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Black, white, sparkles/Silk Designer: Rebecca Taylor Where Purchased: Last Call Neiman Marcus Years Owned: 0.75
Hello from beautiful Barcelona! Currently, we are enjoying and absorbing this great city through the open window in our hotel room, listening while someone far below us practices her Spanish guitar. It’s our first night here, and we are losers. No going out on the town for these tired pups tonight. We had to get up at 4:30 this morning to get here- much too early for vacation!
So instead we are chilling here, and it’s a nice change of pace.
At this moment, I have to admit that I’ve been unable to really wrap my head around Barcelona or let it seep into my heart. We shall see what the day brings tomorrow, but so far… still a mystery I haven’t solved.
I also have to admit that I’m having a hard time getting into the writing spirit tonight. I’m not a big fan of writing with Nate in the room, sometimes looking over my shoulder, and I’m missing Trixie and my little nightly writing rituals. But I have to try tonight, because this might be my last post until I get home. I hope not, but I never know when we’ll have internet.
I chose this blouse tonight because I don’t want to use up all of my Spain writing yet. And many of the pictures I have don’t fully show the clothes, or at least not as well as Trixie would do. But I found this picture of me and my gorgeous and beloved friend Annie on my birthday of this year, and it’s perfect!
Birthdays are getting to be less and less enjoyable these days. So this year I just had a few friends over, rather last minute, and did not have time to think of an outfit. And I grabbed this because it’s sort of a go-to outfit for me this year.
It’s been through a lot, though, this little blouse. And, unfortunately, on the very first time that I wore it. My super talented and super thoughtful friend Anita gave us tickets to go see Frueza Bruta in NYC in March. We didn’t really know much about the show, other than it was Performance Art, there were dancers above the audience, and fantastic special effects. Of course we were thrilled!
It was one of those first truly gorgeous days of early spring where you get a little respite from the winter, even though you know it won’t last. It’s enough to make it through one or two more snow storm,with just the reminder that Spring will bring many more such days with it.
I felt like dressing up, since there was no rain or snow in the forecast. I wore my new Rebecca Taylor blouse that I loved because of it’s subtle scattering of sparkle and gauzy layers of silk, my favorite Prada booties that I hardly ever wear in fear of ruining them, and my favorite leather handbag that Nate had bought me. And I brought a light, soft, leather jacket that I had been dying for it to be warm enough to wear.
We had a fantastic dinner at a little Italian restaurant, and it was a perfect evening. And the show did not disappoint! It was a spectacle of dance, sound, light, and water, lots and lots of water. The dancers ran and slid in great pools above our heads. The performance took place everywhere, on the walls, the ceilings, on the floor right in the middle of the audience. And we were all standing, to constantly move to where the next part of the performance would be. It was like nothing else I’ve ever seen.
At the end, it turned into a big dance party. The dancers came out among us, the dj pumped up the music, and I was having a blast! So much so that I failed to notice that they had turned the sprinklers on above us, and that I was directly beneath one.
There I was, boogying away, singing, clapping, utterly oblivious to the water beating down on my great outfit.
Yeah, I don’t know how I missed that, either.
Especially since we’re not talking a sprinkle. It was pouring.
Even after I noticed what was going down, there were so many people that I had a hard time maneuvering out of the geyser. Nate helped, of course, but by the time we made it outside, I was soaked. I seemed to be the only one, too.
Everyone passed me, laughing as they wiped a single drop of water from their still perfect hairstyles.
And I looked like a drowned rat in expensive shoes.
We stopped for a moment, since I was still in shock, and it was night time now, and the winter air was back in full force. As I slowly recovered, I noticed a little group of tourists looking at me and whispering.
One shyly approached. “You were… one of the performers?” she asked, gesturing back to the theater.
“No, no,” I said. “I’m just stupid.”
And that is why I can’t have nice things.
Happily, nothing was ruined except my pride. Water and silk aren’t really friends, but the blouse is fine except for a little weirdness along the edge that no one else will ever notice. I think after all that, it should stay, right?
**I may not have worn this since, but I love it. It’s staying!
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Shirt
Item: Tee-shirt Color/Fabric: White, cotton Designer: Johnny Was Where Purchased: Next Boutique Years Owned: 3.5
Tonight I am feeling rather sad. It is our penultimate evening in the lively resort town of Calpe, and it’s bitter-sweet. Bitter because I have loved this stage of our journey and wish it could never end. Sweet because I am so excited for Barcelona and the adventures we’ll have there. And also because it’s one more step toward the voyage home. And home is starting to tug on my heartstrings once more.
This is my all-time favorite tee-shirt. I love that it is a simple white cotton tee-shirt, but with just enough embellishments to keep me interested. I wish I was one of those woman who could wear an utterly plain white tee and make it look like the ultimate in cutting-edge style. I’m just not that confident. So I need a little bit of sparkle in a tee-shirt.
I bought this tee-shirt during the run of Company, when Nate’s family came out to see the show. It happened to be the annual summer sale for Next Boutique, so I insisted we make a quick stop there before heading on to the Farmer’s Market Uptown. Somehow, Next Boutique failed to exert its power over Nate’s Family, so I had very limited time, and was unable to do much damage. But I did find this tee, and fell in love.
Of course, the picture is of that same night. Whenever possible, I like to wear a piece the very same day I buy it. Or, if that’s not possible, within a few days. And then I usually don’t feel the same way about it, and probably won’t wear it again.
That has not proven true for this tee, however. I’ve worn this many multiple times. I brought it to Ohio last Christmas, and forgot it at my parents’ house.
Usually when that happens to an article of clothing, and it happens quite often, it’s like the piece has fallen into some kind of black hole. I don’t even remember its existence. Sometimes, it will appear to me in a fragmented vision, like Princess Leia in Star Wars, and I will almost remember it for an instant, but then, just as quickly, it fades away.
Not so with this one. I tore my closet apart on at least two separate occasions, trying to find it, to no avail.
And then my sister Kelly told me where I had left it. At first, my heart swelled with joy, and my mind flashed scene after scene in which I would wear it, now that we were reunited.
But then I saw the look on Kelly’s face.
“Well,” she said. “I took it home for a bit and looked after it for you.” And she gazed down at the tee with such love radiating from her that I knew they had truly bonded. “I was hoping maybe I could keep it for a while. I thought it’d be nice in St. Maarten,” she said, timidly, stroking the fabric with gentle care.
How could I say no?
Back I went to New York, Perfect-Tee-less, until Labor Day weekend when we made a trip to Ohio.
That’s when Kel came up with the idea of the travelling shirt. We would begin joint custody, swapping whenever we saw each other. Or maybe even more frequently, mailing it to each other in a pretty box filled with other fun things to share.
Well, we haven’t exactly carried out the totally awesome idea of the Mailed Box of Treasure yet, but now the Tee has visited three different states, plus St. Maarten, and now Spain.
I wore it for our last full day on Mallorca. This was the day when we did our Grand Tour of the Island, beginning in the bustling market of old, noble Sineau, the former capital of Mallorca, and continuing on to Alcudia, with its crumbling Roman ruins.
Most of the day, though, was spent in the car, embarking on one of the most harrowing and beautiful drives I will ever take. The drive from Soller to Palma is legendary, as it winds along the tops of cliffs that tower over the turquoise sea. Many times there is no barrier between your car and a deathly plummet. And so it was a delicate balance between extreme terror and extreme exhilaration, that more often than not fell on the side of the former for me. I have a very mild fear of heights, and also a very mild tendency toward motion sickness. Combine the two, and… very sick, very scared Kerry.
In spite of all that, it was still amazing. Especially when we found what I like to call Rapunzel’s Tower, here:
It was just sitting there on the side of the road, with a metal rung ladder beckoning all to climb up and see. It certainly would not be a bad place to be locked in for all eternity, for this is the view from the tower:
On the other side, the cliffs are even higher and more dramatic. It was an absolutely gorgeous stop on an absolutely gorgeous journey.
So, about the tee. I don’t want to get rid of it, now that it’s a world traveler and all. But I would like to suggest that others join our Sisterhood; let me know, and you too can take the Perfect Tee to a far off land! I’d like to keep bulding this one’s saga. Yes?
**I am keeping this, for sure, but would still love others to join in the sisterhood! Any borrowers?
With My Freeze-Ray I Will Stop… The World
Item: Sweater Color/Fabric: Red, cashmere Designer: Barney’s Co-Op Where Purchased: Woodbury Common Years Owned: 0.25
Hello my friends! It’s been much, much too long. Internet access has been less than ideal during this trip. At this moment I am sitting with Nate in a little bar/cafe in Calpe, Spain. We are just over one hundred feet from the Mediterranean Sea, and we are listening to an accordion player and sipping a Cafe Tango.
So far this has been the most relaxing and luxurious vacation we’ve ever had. I really feel like time has slowed, or perhaps even simply stopped. The days just seem to stretch on and on and on- we won’t even be home for another entire week!
This little red sweater is something I bought specifically for this trip. I bought it in late July of this year, I think, and it was after a particularly sad visit to the orthopedist. Conveniently, my orthopedist is located just a stone’s throw from Woodbury. I called Nate with my bad news, crying, and he said, “Well, why don’t you go shopping?”
This would not be the first time I have dried my tears with a shopping bag. Or four.
I thought this sweater would be perfect, since, being cashmere, it’s thin but entirely cozy. And I wasn’t wrong!
The sweater was broken out on my very first day of the trip. We were in Mallorca, in the idyllic village of Soller, staying in a quaint and perfectly charming town house called the Casa Bougainvillea. I was slightly disoriented and tired due to the jet-lag, but it really wasn’t bad at all, I think because of my insomnia build up before. But we had decided to relax and maybe get to know the island a little bit on that first day.
At breakfast our friendly host, Matt, asked us what our plans for the day were.
“Oh, we just want to take it easy and relax today,” I answered.
“Well,” said Matt in his lilting British accent. “I think you should take the bus to Deia and walk back. The weather will be perfect in that direction.”
Sounded great to us!
Here’s what I imagined: smooth cobblestone sidewalks sloping gently up and down along the seaside to the ancient and stately small town of Deia.
I wore fancy jeans over top brown leather boots (flat, of course), and the red sweater. A perfect ensemble for the stroll I was envisioning.
Take and easy and relax, my ass.
It was a full-on mountain climbing, muddy, steep incline, never-ending ten mile hike to Deia. An amazing, utterly gorgeous, completely captivating, breath stealing ten mile hike, to be certain.
It would have been a dream, had I been dressed appropriately.
There were grazing sheep nimbly maneuvering the hillside, complete with deeply resonating bells around their adorable fuzzy necks. Old, twisted and gnarled olive groves ringed with spiraling Cyprus trees straight out of a Van Gogh painting. Cacti. Rock hopping mountain goats. A cafe on the side of a mountain, serving lemon tart and coffee. Jaw dropping vistas of the Mediterranean.
It felt like we would never reach this legendary town. And then, all at once, we were there.
Just in time to watch all the restaurants close down for siesta.
Then we decided to just go back.
Only to get thrown off the last bus back to our town because it was too full.
So then we did the only thing we could do. We went to a market and bought bread, cheese, and sangria and at it sitting on a wall overlooking the town, outside of a famous little cemetery. And then split a cab with a nice German couple.
All in all, it was a splendid way to start our vacation.
Except for how bloody my feet were. Those boots just were not designed for rugged mountain terrain. It just meant that I had to buy bandages in bulk, and were soft flimsy ballet slippers for the rest of our time in Mallorca, and then into Madrid.
I’m hoping they’ll be all healed up by Barcelona, just in time for some fresh blisters!
And it was impossible to stay angry with Matt. The Casa Bougainvillea is just too perfect a hideaway, and Matt and his wife Nina are such pleasant and passionate hosts. Our time there was nothing short of magical.
**I love cashmere. Very, very hard to talk me out of it…
Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost. Barbie.
Item: Costume Color/Fabric: White, cotton/tinsel Desinger: Kerry Dotson Years Owned: 12
Happy Halloween! I hope you are all having fantastic parties with fabulous costumes! I’m in a little town called Calpe at this moment. It’s on the Mediterranean coast and there really isn’t much to do there except eat and relax, or so we hear. That’s just fine by me! Hopefully we will use it as a base to explore other areas- there are quite a number of castles in this region.
I wanted to share with you my all time favorite costume tonight, the Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost. I conceived and created it entirely on my own, and it did not even cost $5! Can you believe it?
Ok, yes, in hindsight is does look a little on the cheap side. But I still love it.
I wore this to my first Halloween party after I transferred to Michigan State. In case you’re not aware, Halloween on college campuses is mostly just an excuse for girls to look as slutty as possible. I’ve seen it all: Sexy kitten, French maid, Playboy Bunny, Lingerie Zombie, Naughty Angel, Slut Wearing Plastic Wrap. And on and on and on.
The Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost was sort of my way of poking fun at those types of girls. And plus, I liked it. I also liked my wig, which was a white, tiered, punk sort of thing. Awesome! And I made my skin all white and glittery.
I was so creative that year. In addition to this priceless piece, I also made costumes for Nate and his roommate:
Well, Nate’s Hulk wasn’t actually difficult. However, getting the green paint to come out of his pores was! That stuff is durable.
Russel at first was resistant to being a Lady of Substance. But once I put him in panty hose, stuffed them, and started sculpting voluptuous curves, he started to warm up considerably. Once the make-up was done, he had adopted a lovely falsetto, even. Then he rocked the look!
And I think he had the most fun out of any of us. People couldn’t keep their hands off of him! By the very end of the evening, he had grown tired of being objectified. Ha!
The party was at the house where many gymnastics teammates lived, and it was nuts. I spent most of my time with my friend Brad, who insisted I tacked “Barbie” onto the end of my costume. I kept forgetting, though, and when people asked what I was, I responded with “I’m a Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost! Barbie!” It was one of the best parties, ever.
And I never get tired of saying Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost. Barbie.
**I will keep this forever. Even if only so I can never forget to say Glittersparkleiceprincessfairyghost. Barbie!
Confessions Of A Malaysian Fruit-Bat
Item: Costume Color/fabric: Black, cotton, polyester Designer: Kerry Dotson Years owned: 10
Hello all! This might be my shortest post of all time. I’m hurriedly typing this as I wait for my ride to the airport. AAAAGGHHHHH! So excited.
When you read this, we should be in Madrid. I’m sure we’re having a fabulous time! The hotel we’ll be staying at looks spectacular- hopefully we can pry ourselves away and enjoy some culture!
In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to share one of my all time favorite costumes, the Malaysian Fruit-Bat.
This was the year I got very into my Zoological studies, so when I found this fur vest, I knew right away what I would be.
I’ve always thought that bats in general aren’t treated fairly. They are very smart, eat bugs in your yard, fly, and hardly ever have rabies. What could be better? Plus, Fruit-bats are very, very adorable.
So I ripped up a skirt to make the wings, and I glued giant paper ears onto a headband, and covered it in fur. With black pants, I was perfect!
I wish I had a picture of the whole ensemble. I was so proud of it.
I wore it to work at La Senorita and maybe to a party that year. La Senorita is a small restaurant chain in Michigan with amazing food, and I worked there for five years during college and after. It was like a second home to me. I can still taste their mesquite sauce! Maybe they’d ship me some…
Anyway, no one really picked up what I was putting down. When asked what I was “supposed to be,” I told them, “A Malaysian Fruit-Bat! Duh.” This was followed by blank stares.
Ok, so I was a bit of a nerd. I still love it.
The vest I am keeping for sure- those are hot this season. What about the rest of it?
**I am keeping this vest, but not the wings. I know I can craft a much better pair when I wear this costume again!
A Dirndyl! A Dirndyl!
Item: Dirndyl and skirt Color/Fabric: Black/white/flowers, linen/carpet/polyester Designer: Landhaus Where Purchased: A department store in Munich, Germany Years Owned: 2
Hello all! I’m sure that I am missing each and every one of you right at this moment. Currently, we are staying in a sweet farmhouse owned by Matt and Nina, on the island of Mallorca. But since there isn’t really internet access there, I’m writing this before I left.
In honor of the approaching Halloween, I’m going to do a few posts of my favorite costumes. This one’s also in honor of the month of October, quickly drawing to a close.
When we went to Europe for the first time, two years ago, we stayed with two of our friends from IBM, Keri and Tim, who were living in Munich. They are wonderful. And they were taking us to Oktoberfest!
The first day in Munich we saw the amazing, historic town, and went shopping for our Oktoberfest outfits. Who knew they were so expensive! Man. Way more than I pay for real clothes. But we lucked out, and found some lederhosen for Nate that were on sale because they had neon green embroidery, and I found the skirt/dirndyl combo that was cheap because it wasn’t the short, slutty popular variety. Plus, it is made for someone who doesn’t have any ribs. I have to expel every last trace of air from my lungs to get into it.
The next day we went to Oktoberfest, and I still felt terrible. I didn’t realize how bad I would feel, with the jet-lag and sausages and all.
In the morning I was a little sluggish. We didn’t leave on time for the Fest. I could sense a little frustration from Tim and Keri, but I thought everything was fine. We were only like 45 minutes late.
The reason for all the anxiety, that they didn’t tell us, was that if you are not one of the first 10,000 people into one of the ten giant beer tents, there is no beer. Nothing. You can have pretzels, giant cookies, sausages. But absolutely no beer.
I had always pictured Oktoberfest as a place where there are fountains of beer that you just dip a mug into, that beer flows freely down the streets, with birds bathing in it and children splashing in it. I thought, perhaps, it even rained beer.
It doesn’t.
For the 100,000 people who make it into a tent, Oktoberfest is heaven. For the rest of the other 1 million souls it is agony.
We waited in a line that never moved, not one inch, for hours. Sometimes the door would open, and we would catch tantalizing whiffs of roasted chicken. But they wouldn’t let anyone in. People got very angsty. One man even started insulting us “Americans” by screaming “Bush! Bush! Bush!!” Into our faces.
So we left. But we did go to a trippy fun-house before we left. Totally worth it!
We finished out the day in a Beirgarten, and it was nice to be outdoors without some many crowds.
Here we are:
I think it was more fun at the Beirgarten, anyway. Except that Nate went back to Oktoberfet without me, and he says, “No. It wasn’t.”
I wore this for Halloween that year, at Herman and Andy’s. They always have fabulous parties, and I will miss Halloweens with them, since they’ve moved to the city.
It is really snug, though. Sheesh. I couldn’t even get the zipper up on Trixie, since she can’t deflate her ribcage. It’s so uncomfortable, I don’t think I’ll ever wear it again. I should save it for an heirloom, though. If I have a daughter someday, she’ll probably be able to fit into it by the time she’s five.
I’m not sure exactly when my next post will be, but please stay tuned!
**I have to keep this forever. Even if I can never squeeze into it again!
I Am What I Wore 